Faculty
Early Childhood Faculty
Martie Fine
Apple Blossom Preschool Teacher
Martie holds a BA in English from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and is currently completing her Waldorf Teaching Certificate from The West Coast Institute for Studies in Anthroposophy in Vancouver, Canada. She has also has multiple college credits in the Human Development and Early Childhood fields. In 2000, Martie was the founding teacher for the Nevada Sage Waldorf School and helped to develop their early childhood program. Having worked with young children and their families for over 23 years in both Waldorf and mainstream settings, Martie is thrilled to join the team at Camellia Waldorf.
Ms. Marty joined Camellia in 2022.
Contact Marty Fine: Mfine@camelliawaldorf.org
Nicole Guslivtov
Apple Blossom Preschool Assistant
Nicole holds a BS in Communications Sciences and Disorders (Speech Pathology and Audiology) from California State University Sacramento. She also holds a AA in Psychology and studied Early Childhood Development and Life Span Development. While finishing college, Nicole worked in Camellia's Extended Care program, Summer Camp, and as a Substitute Teacher's Assistant.
When Nicole is not at Camellia, she leads her church’s Youth Ministry with her fiancé. She also enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, hiking, and exploring new boba tea shops around the Sacramento area.
Ms. Nicole joined Camellia in 2021
Contact Nicole Guslivtov: Nguslivtov@camelliawaldorf.org
Shannon Leigh
Orange Blossom Preschool Teacher
Shannon Leigh has 15 units of early childhood education, holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and mathematics from Jacksonville University in Florida, and a master’s degree in organic chemistry from the University of California at Davis.
Ms. Shannon has over10 years of teaching experience, working in both the grades and early childhood - preschool and kindergarten. Additionally, Shannon established Camellia’s Early Childhood Summer Camp program and served as the backup preschool director for several years.
Ms. Shannon joined Camellia in 2012.
Contact Shannon Leigh: sleigh@camelliawaldorf.org
Megan Ferrian
Orange Blossom Preschool Assistant
Ms. Megan studied Child Development at Sacramento City College, where she earned 15 units in Early Childhood Education, gaining deep insight and knowledge into preschool aged children. With several years of experience in working with young children, Megan joined Camellia in 2021, teaching in Camellia’s Summer Camp and Preschool Extended Care programs, before taking a position as an assistant in the Orange Blossom Preschool class. As a class assistant, she values the hands-on aspect of Waldorf Pedagogy and looks forward to expanding her knowledge by pursuing Waldorf teacher training in the future.
When Megan is not in the classroom, she finds joy in discovering new vegan recipes, exploring nature and finding treasures in local thrift stores.
Ms. Megan joined Camellia in 2021.
Contact Megan Ferrian: Mferrian@camelliawaldorf.org
Olga Morozova
Mulberry Kindergarten Teacher
Olga Morozova has a master’s degree in psychology from State Pedagogical University in Russia and received her Waldorf early childhood teaching credential from Rudolf Steiner College. Ms. Olga has lived throughout the world, teaching in Russia, Hungary, Switzerland, Austria and Canada. She has teaching experience in both formal and informal settings with both children and adults.
Ms. Olga joined Camellia in 2016.
Contact Olga Morozova: omorozova@camelliawaldorf.org
Catalina Soliman
Mulberry Kindergarten Assistant
A former Waldorf student herself, Ms. Catalina attended the Waldorf school in Iasi, for grades 1through 12, and went on to complete three years of early childhood studies at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iasi, Romania. While at university, she studied different teaching methods, including Waldorf, Montessori and traditional primary education in Romania. Following her time at university, Ms. Catalina taught preschool and grades 1-4, eventually finding her way back to Waldorf education when she was offered a kindergarten teacher assistant position at Edinburgh Steiner School in Scotland. While there, she felt back at home and had the opportunity to work, study, and research amongst other anthroposophical therapists.
In her spare time, Catalina enjoys artistic activities like drawing, singing, painting; spending time with family, and traveling. She also wrote, illustrated, and published two children’s books.
Ms. Catalina joined Camellia in 2021
Contact Catalina Soliman: csoliman@camelliawaldorf.org
Courtney Wilson
Sunflower Kindergarten Teacher
Courtney Wilson holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and religious studies from Eastern University, a master's degree in art history from American University, and an Art of Teaching Certificate from the Gradalis Waldorf Teacher Education Program. Additionally, Ms. Courtney is currently completing her Waldorf early childhood teacher training certificate at the Sound Circle Center in Seattle, Washington.
Ms. Courtney has been a teacher for over nine years, including seven years in Waldorf schools as a kindergarten teacher, grades class teacher and subject teacher. In 2007, Ms. Courtney and her husband, Joshua, helped to found Escuela Caracol, Guatemala’s first Waldorf school. Ms. Courtney founded the kindergarten and taught in Spanish and English there for several years.
Early childhood education has always been close to Ms. Courtney's heart. She is a storyteller with a profound love of nature which she strives to bring to her classroom in innovative ways.
Ms. Courtney joined Camellia in 2021.
Contact Courtney Wilson: cwilson@camelliawaldorf.org
Steven Tritto
Sunflower Kindergarten Assistant
Steven holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the New College of California as well as an Master’s in Theater Theory and an MFA in Performance from the Experimental Performance Institute at the New College of California. He has studied at the Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training and is completing his teacher training at Great Lakes Waldorf Institute.
When not teaching he has the absolute privilege of helping guide his amazing daughter through the ups and downs of childhood as well as being taught many invaluable lessons by her. He and his family feel profound gratitude to Camellia Waldorf School and are honored to be part of this vibrant community.
Mr. Steven joined Camellia in 2021
Contact Steven Tritto: stritto@camelliawaldorf.org
Elementary and Middle School Faculty
Shane Jewell
First Grade Teacher
Shane Jewell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance from Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music, with concentrations in physics, mathematics, and environmental studies and has completed an International Honors Program in the study of climate change, economics, anthropology, social justice, and sustainable development.
Mr. Jewell joined the Camellia faculty in 2021 teaching Choir and Middle School Math and has quickly become a beloved member of our community. With over 20 years of teaching experience, including ten years as a Waldorf teacher, Mr. Jewell has taught both in the grades and at the high school level. Mr. Jewell grew up attending Waldorf schools as the child of two Waldorf teachers. In addition, Mr. Jewell is the founder and musical director of a choral ensemble, has hiked 1,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, bicycled more than 100,000 miles in countries around the world, and is passionate about sustainable living and organic farming.
Mr. Jewell joined Camellia in 2021.
Contact Shane Jewell: sjewell@camelliawaldorf.org
Sohee Cooper
Second Grade Teacher
Sohee Jung-Cooper has a bachelor’s degree in linguistics from Kyonggi University in South Korea and California State University Hayward, and a master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from California State University East Bay. Ms. Cooper has experience teaching in university and community colleges in the Bay Area for nearly a decade.
Upon becoming a parent, Sohee discovered Waldorf education and became passionate about its healing aspect as well as its artistic approach to teaching and learning. Her love of Waldorf education led her to LifeWays, where she completed her training, followed by her Foundation year at the Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training. Ms. Cooper has taught Waldorf handwork at Camellia and is completing her Waldorf Handwork Teacher Training.
Mr. Cooper joined Camellia in 2021.
Contact Sohee Jung-Cooper: scooper@camelliawaldorf.org
Elijah Egbert
Third Grade Teacher
Elijah Egbert has a bachelor’s degree in rhetoric from the University of California Berkeley and studied Philosophy at Sacramento City College. Mr. Egbert was a Waldorf student himself, attending Camellia Waldorf School through 8th grade, then completing high school at Sacramento Waldorf School. Elijah joined the Camellia faculty for the 2020-21 school year as a 1st and 2nd grade assistant and substitute teacher, where he gained a deep appreciation for the teaching side of Waldorf education. Following his time at Camellia, Mr. Egbert knew he wanted to train to become a Waldorf teacher.
Elijah is a music educator and has taught in a variety of education-related positions, most recently at Art Beast, helping to enrich their language-arts program through storytelling, theatre arts and Eurythmy, all inspired by his life-long knowledge of Waldorf education.
Mr. Egbert joined Camellia in 2021
Contact Elijah Egbert: eegbert@camelliawaldorf.org
Amber Fitts
Fourth Grade Teacher
Amber Fitts earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the University of California Santa Cruz. In 2010, she earned certificates in Waldorf education and eurythmy from Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks, California.
Ms. Fitts’ passions are in the movement arts: yoga, eurythmy, modern dance, folk dance, and ballet. She also enjoys spending time in nature, and cultivates an active interest in world travel and cultures, having ventured through Taiwan, Thailand, the Yucatan, Ireland, Peru, Italy, and Switzerland, as well as many of America’s national parks.
In 2022, Ms. Fitts and her husband became proud adoptive parents, welcoming home their teenage son from Taiwan.
Ms. Fitts taught Camellia’s class of 2018 from first through eighth grade, and has been a member of the faculty leadership team since 2014. Currently, she is delighted to be on the journey with the class of 2027 which she began teaching in first grade.
Ms. Fitts Joined Camellia in 2010
Hanna Schaffer
Fifth Grade Teacher
Hanna Schaffer has a bachelor’s degree in theater, which she earned from California State Universities Fresno and Sacramento. She earned her Waldorf teaching certificate from Waldorf Teacher Education Eugene (WTEE), in Eugene, Oregon. Before coming to Camellia, Ms. Schaffer taught elementary and middle school at Cedar Springs Waldorf School. She has also taught in a variety of education-related positions including ceramics and theater and as a literacy tutor. Working with children has always been her passion, and Ms. Schaffer is delighted to be a teacher at Camellia.
Ms. Schaffer joined Camellia in 2018
Contact Hanna Schaffer: hschaffer@camelliawaldorf.org
Paige Moss
Sixth Grade Teacher
Paige Moss has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development from Southern Oregon University, and a master’s degree in Teaching from National University, San Diego. Ms. Moss also has a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Ms. Moss' passion for teaching began in high school, where she spent four years in the classroom, interning as a teacher assistant for a local elementary school. While in college, Ms. Moss took a job as a teacher in a Waldorf-inspired preschool, falling in love with holistic learning and Waldorf education. As her energy and passion for teaching grew, she found her way to elementary and middle school, spending a year working as a seventh-grade math teacher. She also helped to create and implement a Social Emotional Learning program for grade-aged students that integrated yoga, breathwork, meditation, and tapping. Ms. Moss has over five years of teaching experience and has taught in both early childhood and the grades.
When Ms. Moss is not in the classroom, you will find her with her partner and their two beautiful children, likely in nature. She loves exploring the world and taking in the beauty of life through backpacking, mountain bike riding, live music, good books, and frequent trips to majestical Mount Shasta. Ms. Moss is excited to join the Camellia faculty, deepen her knowledge of Waldorf education and become a Waldorf parent herself.
Ms. Moss Joined Camellia in 2022
Contact Ms. Moss: pmoss@camelliawaldorf.org
Sarah Casebeer
Seventh Grade Teacher
Sarah Casebeer has a bachelor’s degree in women’s studies from the University of New Hampshire and earned her Waldorf teacher certificate from the Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training.
A Camellia parent for more than 10 years, Ms. Casebeer taught Camellia’s class of 2017 and has also been a substitute teacher and an assistant teacher in kindergarten at Camellia.
Ms. Casebeer Joined Camellia in 2009
Contact Sarah Casebeer: scasebeer@camelliawaldorf.org
Josh Amaral
Eighth Grade Teacher
Josh Amaral has a bachelor’s degree in English with a focus on grammar and composition from California State University Chico. More recently, he earned a master’s degree in teaching from the University of San Francisco and has California single subject teaching credentials in English and social science. Before relocating to Sacramento, Mr. Amaral taught in Chico area charter schools, where he worked with all age groups in kindergarten to 12th grade.
Mr. Amaral is an avid performer with an appreciation for live theater, music, creative writing, and the arts. He served as a youth instructor for the Chico Theater Company for four years, during which he participated in more than six youth productions and nearly twenty main stage productions. He also plays numerous instruments and is a firm believer in the power of rhythm and melody and their effect on the growing mind. Mr. Amaral enjoys photography in its many forms, painting, writing poetry and short stories, and reading classic fiction.
Mr. Amaral joined Camellia in 2017
Contact Josh Amaral: jamaral@camelliawaldorf.org